Natanael Cano’s Los CT Imprint Signs Global Deal with Downtown Music Services

Posted on February 28, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Natanael Cano’s record imprint has a new partner…

Downtown Music Services has inked a global distribution, creative marketing and synch licensing deal with the 21-year-old Mexican rapper and singer-songwriter’s record imprint, Los CT.

The label’s current roster includes Gabito Ballesteros, Alejandro Buelna, Tyan G and more.

Under the deal, Downtown Music Services will be responsible for all aspects of global distribution, creative marketing and synch for Los CT. This includes providing listeners with access to new music releases, securing strategic marketing and synch opportunities and ensuring that Los CT artist releases are available on all major digital streaming platforms.

Cano launched Los CT last year amid a public dispute with his former label, Rancho Humilde, as an opportunity to continue broadening the Mexican music style he’s been actively internationalizing.

“I am always very happy to work with people who supported me from the beginning,” Cano said in a press release. “Now being able to distribute my music with some of the same people who always believed in me, I am extremely grateful and motivated to continue giving my all alongside the Downtown Music Services team.”

Downtown Music Services vp of A&R Latin, Ray Tapia, worked side by side with Cano’s manager, Ramon Emilio Hernández, to make this partnership a reality. A subsidiary of Downtown Music Holdings, Downtown Music Services offers bespoke distribution, publishing administration, creative marketing and finance solutions to entrepreneurial creators and their partners.

Tapia said, “We are thrilled to partner with Natanael Cano and the Los CT record label team. The Mexican music scene is undergoing a transformation with an increasing number of collaborations and a growing number of artists attracting millions of monthly listeners. This genre remains one of if not the most independent, and we are super excited to have the opportunity to contribute to its success. ¡Ánimo!“

“We have been working on this for a minute and I am really excited about this partnership and how we are helping put this new era of the culture out there,” added Hernández. “There is so much promising talent in this space and we look forward to working with some of these artists and the team at Downtown Music. They really knew the genre, the music and understood our goals from the beginning.”

This year, Cano has achieved three entries on the Billboard Global 200 chart, including “AMG” with Gabito Bastelleros and Peso Pluma which hit No. 35 on the tally. He’s also scored two entries on the Billboard Hot 100.

Natanael Cano Teams Up with Victor Cibrian to Release New Single “Que Me Importa”

Posted on October 21, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Natanael Cano has returned with a new personal single…

The 21-year-old Mexican rapper and singer-songwriter has joined voices with Victor Cibrian, who’s gained TikTok virality this year with his music, to release the new single “Que Me Importa.”

Cano maintains his signature corrido tumbao sound in the new track, which was recorded live with charchetas, tololoche, and a tuba.

Cano’s lyrics are as honest as ever as he sings about life’s hardships but also achieving his goals.

“El que perseverancia alcance, se los digo yo,” Cano and Cibrian chant.

Cibrian’s deep vocals perfectly meld together with Cano’s higher tones.

In the track, Cibrian even shares a motivational speech about working on your goals in silence to prevent bad juju from the haters.

Natanael Cano Agrees to Worldwide Publishing Deal with Warner Chappell Music

Posted on May 11, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Natanael Cano is going to the Chappell…

The 21-year-old Mexican rapper and singer-songwriter has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music, according to Billboard.

Cano’s signature corridos tumbados first put him on the map with his 2019 anthem “Soy El Diablo,” while a Bad Bunny-assisted remix scored him his first entry on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart. Since, he’s released multiple corridos tumbados albums including A Mis 20 and Corridos Tumbados which topped the Regional Mexican Albums chart.

“I’m excited to join forces with Gustavo [Menéndez] and the Warner Chappell team to share my music on a global scale,” Cano said in a statement. “With our shared vision, I know we’ll accomplish great things together.”

“Nata is a unique talent, who at such a young age, has already secured his legacy in the industry. He has an incredible delivery with an uncanny penmanship as a songwriter, no matter the genre,” added Gustavo Menéndez, WCM’s president, U.S. Latin & Latin America. “I’ve also had the opportunity to spend time with Nata outside of the studio and he’s an incredible and inspiring human being. We are proud that he’s entrusted us to be his publisher and continue to help pave the way.”

The signing with Warner Chappell Music comes on the heels of his debut at Coachella last month and his new partnership with WME. The company signed him for representation in all areas — marking Cano’s first-ever agency agreement. WME will build the singer’s business across touring, acting, fashion and talent ventures.

Most recently, Cano released his half trap and half corridos studio album NataKong, where he reflects on his maturity and growth as an artist.

The set, which was released on April 8 less than a year after A Mis 20, coincided with the launch of his own record label Los CT. Moving forward, Cano will release music under Warner Music Latina, Rancho Humilde and his label Los CT.

Natanael Cano Signs with William Morris Endeavor (WME)

Posted on April 19, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Natanael Cano has major representation…

William Morris Endeavor (WME) has signed the 21-year-old Mexican rapper and singer-songwriter for representation in all areas.

Marking Cano’s first-ever agency agreement, WME will build the singer’s business across touring, acting, fashion and talent ventures.

Cano’s signature corridos tumbados first got on the radar with his 2019 single “Soy El Diablo,” while a Bad Bunny-assisted remix earned him his first entry on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart.

Cano released his half trap and half corridos studio album NataKong, where he reflects on his maturity and growth as an artist, earlier this month.

“This album is the separation of the 17-year-old Nata who was just starting. It mirrors who I am now,” Cano told Billboard. “I can no longer pretend I’m a kid because I never really got the opportunity to be a kid so, in reality, I was faking it. I don’t want to seem dumb or get into problems. I want to keep doing music because I love it.”

Cano’s WME signing comes on the heels of his debut at the 2022 Coachella festival on Sunday (April 17), where he performed in front of a full house at the Gobi stage.

Sticking strictly to his core corridos tumbados sound, Cano sang “Soy El Diablo,” “Sin Ti,” “El de la Codeína” and his chart-topping hit “Amor Tumbado” as fans waved Mexican flags. At one point, he wore a flag as a cape.

Cano returns to Coachella next weekend.

J Balvin to Co-Headline ‘Sueños,’ Chicago’s New Reggaeton & Latin Trap Festival

Posted on February 10, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

J Balvin is livin’ the sueño(s)…

The 36-year-old Colombian singer and rapper will co-headline Sueños, a new reggaeton and Latin trap festival in Chicago.

J Balvin will co-headline with Ozuna and Wisin y Yandel, when the festival takes place during Memorial Day Weekend (May 28-29).

The first-ever edition of Sueños — presented by the producers behind Baja Beach Fest and Lollapalooza, respectively, and Chicago’s Reventon Promotions — will also include sets by artists like Myke Towers, El Alfa, Tokischa, Sech, Natanael Cano, Fuerza Regida, Jhay Cortez, Blessd, Jowell & Randy, and DJ Luian.

“We’re honored to work with the producers of Lollapalooza and Reventon to bring a premier Latin festival to Grant Park in Chicago,” said Aaron Ampudia of Baja Beach Fest. “Reggaetón is a massive genre, but remains underserved by live festivals in the U.S. We’re extremely proud to expand to the US and serve our community and everyone who enjoys Latin music.”

Reventon Promotions’ Enrique Medrano added: ”Over a decade ago, I started Reventon Promotions with a dream of bringing authentic and diverse Hispanic entertainment to Chicago. Now I am excited and proud to be part of the first Sueños festival, an event that celebrates the Hispanic presence in the city, in addition to being held in the iconic and representative Grant Park right in the heart of downtown. What better place is there for thousands of people from different Latin American countries to meet, share, and celebrate with artists of the likes of J Balvin, Ozuna, and many more.”

Sueños’ inaugural edition will be the first of two back-to-back reggaeton festivals set to take place for the first time ever in Chicago over the summer.

The also new Más Flow three-day reggaeton fest — featuring headliners Don Omar and Ivy Queen — is confirmed for July 15 to July 17, and produced by Grass Root Events, a local production company.

Sueños and Más Flow join Chicago’s very own Ruido Fest, a Latin alternative music festival that launched in 2015, as the third and second Latinx music festivals to find a home in the Midwestern city, where Latinos are now the second-largest racial or ethnic group, growing by 5% from roughly 779,000 in 2010 to nearly 820,000 in 2020, according to census data.

Tickets for Sueños will be available via pre-sale beginning Friday, February 11, at 1:00 pm ET with the official on-sale launching at 3:00 pm at www.suenosmusicfestival.com.

Maluma Among the Headlining Acts for This Year’s Baja Beach Fest

Posted on January 22, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Maluma is headed south of the border this summer…

The 27-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter will co-headline this year’s Baja Beach Fest, which will return to the beaches of Mexico this summer.

In addition to Maluma, the Rosarito-based fest will also be headlined by Anuel AA, Farruko and Wisin y Yandel.

The festival will also feature a headlining performance from Sinaloan heroes Banda MS.

The festival is slated to run two weekends in a row, from August 12-14 and August 19-21 for three days each. Each weekend will close out with a headlining set from Daddy Yankee, who recently suggested on social media he would be heading out on his last world tour this year.

The Reggaeton and Latin Trap festival will also see sets from Myke Towers, Natanael Cano, Sech, Jhay Cortez, El Alfa, Natti Natasha and more.

Jay Wheeler, Tokischa, Mora, Nicki Nicole, Arcángel and VF7 and Lunay, among others, are also set to perform at the beachside resort.

Baja Beach Fest first emerged as a one-day event in 2018 and has continued to grow each year.

In 2019, the festival expanded to two days and welcomed top-tier talent including Ozuna, J Balvin, Becky G, Bad Bunny and Nicky Jam.

In 2020, the festival postponed due to the pandemic and returned in 2021 with performances from Ozuna, Balvin and Karol G for 30,000 fans.

https://twitter.com/BajaBeachFest/status/1484615711443935232

Junior Mesa Named to YouTube Music’s Foundry 2021 Independent Artists Class

Posted on July 30, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Junior Mesa has found(ry-ed) his place on YouTube…

YouTube Music has revealed its Foundry New Class of 2021, with 27 independent artists representing 14 countries across a variety of genres, including the Latino American singer.

This is YouTube’s largest class to date since the program’s inception in 2015.

The global artist development program, which “helps independent artists use music and storytelling to engage fans across borders,” per a press release, provides artists with marketing, promotion, and development support, and tools to help set them up for long-term success.

In addition to Junior Mesa, seven Latin artists have been included on the list this year — including three who were recently featured on Billboard’s Emerging Latin Artists to Discover in 2021 list. They join other Latinx Foundry alumni like Natanael Cano, Eladio Carrion, Cuco and Omar Apollo.

Here’s a look at this year’s highlighted Latin acts, with quotes and more info from YouTube here:

Ambar Lucid
Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Alternative/Indie
Ambar Lucid is a New Jersey-born singer-songwriter of Dominican and Mexican descent. She began to pen her own songs in her mid-teens, and ultimately put her hazy, bilingual indie-pop tracks onto SoundCloud.

“To me, being independent means having creative control and power over myself and my art,” she says to YouTube. “Success means being able to do things my way while having a loyal group of supporters with me throughout my journey.” Earlier this year, Lucid signed with independent label 300 Entertainment.

Bad Milk
Country: Colombia
Genre: Urban/Pop
Bad Milk (born Manuelita Garcia) has developed a following with her soulful vocals and urban-infused pop tracks. Her first single of 2021, “Ego,” was helmed by Latin hitmaker Ovy on the Drums, who also gave her his stamp of approval on his track “Angelito,” featuring Bad Milk and fellow Colombian newcomer Beéle.

“I love to experiment with different sounds and portray different emotions. I don’t enjoy putting my creativity in a box,” she says. “I see music as a mission. It’s definitely what I came here to do.”

Blessd
Country: Colombia
Genre: Urban/Hip-Hop
Also hailing from Colombia is Blessd (real name: Stiven Mesa Londoño), whose witty freestyle and sweet, crisp vocals are landing him major collaborations. The 21-year-old rapper, who kicked off his career in 2019, has already dropped tracks alongside Maluma, The Black Eyed Peas, Ovy on the Drums, The Rude Boyz and Piso 21.

Forming part of YouTube’s Foundry class is a great opportunity for Blessd, who mentioned that “being an artist is a dream I always had and also something I needed to do for my family. As an independent artist, I feel free.”

Junior Mesa
Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Alternative/Indie
California-based newcomer Junior Mesa is bringing a fresh sound to indie music while staying inspired by the greats. With songs such as “Far Out,” “Losing my Grip” and “Pushing Away,” the singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist is immersed in a trippy psych-pop sound that’s influenced by artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Jimi Hendrix and Sly & The Family Stone.

“Being independent is a mentality,” he assures. “Claiming independence is saying: We are not the same! I will not conform to your standards. I will express myself in a way that satisfies my will, not yours!”

Marina Sena
Country: Brazil
Genre: Pop
What Brazilian newcomer Marina Sena loves about being an independent artist is creating a sound that incorporates traditional genres such as Bossanova and funk with a soulful, seductive twist. “To be an independent artist is to have determination, free will, freedom,” she notes. “After starting my solo career on the right foot and being about to release my first full album, there’s nothing better than support to bet on my sound and make it reach people all over the world.”

Tokischa
Country: Dominican Republic
Genre: Urban
With her bold attitude and unapologetic lyrics, Tokischa is changing the Tokischa dembow game one single (and collaboration) at a time. With songs such as “Tukuntazo,” “El Rey de la Popola” and “No Me Importa” making the rounds, the Dominican trapera has already garnered the attention of artists such as J Balvin, Anuel and Karol G. “My music has no labels,” she says. “It’s a free, new wave. I’m excited to stand out in countries that are far from my culture.”

Tuyo
Country: Brazil
Genre: Alternative/Indie
Brazilian trio Tuyo — made up of Machado, Lio and Lay Soares — is making waves with an organic sound that experiments with folk music, lo-fi hip-hop and synth-pop. The São Paulo-based act says that their music is “more about a feeling” than a genre. “We mix very delicate vocals with strong rhythms. It’s music for floating, for flying. We are whole, happy, and successful when we can communicate with people through music.”

Natanael Cano Knocks Himself Out of Top Spot on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums Chart with “A Mis 20”

Posted on June 9, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a knock out for Natanael Cano… against himself.

The 20-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter has knocked himself out of the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums chart as A Mis 20 debuts at No. 1, replacing Corridos Tumbados on the June 12-dated ranking.

The latter spent 31 nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 since it bowed atop the list dated November 16, 2019.

Cano’s sixth studio album debuts with 5,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending June 3, according to MRC Data, mostly stemming from streaming activity. It registered 6.9 million on-demand streams of the album’s tracks in its first tracking week.

The Regional Mexican Albums chart ranks the most popular regional Mexican albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units.

Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album.

Ozuna to Headline Calibash in January 2022

Posted on June 2, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Ozuna is headed to a massive bash…

After being sidelined in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Calibash will return to Los Angeles’ Staples Center in January 2022 to celebrate its quinceañera, with the Puerto Rican singer serving as one of the headlining acts.

For the first time ever, this year’s Calibash will be a three-day show (January 14-16), headlined by Ozuna (January 14), Daddy Yankee (January 15) and J Balvin (January 16) along with a roster of superstars.

Also performing are Wisin & Yandel, Myke Towers, Becky G, Sech and Natanael Cano (on Day 1); Natti Natasha, Manuel Turizo, Rauw Alejandro, Lunay and Kali Uchis (Day 2); and Nicky Jam, Black Eyed Peas, Jhay Cortez, Justin Quiles and Nío García (Day 3).

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. June 1 on asx.com.

The multi-artist show, produced and presented by SBS Entertainment, is the best-known urban Latin festival in the United States, and perhaps, the best-known Latin fest in the country.

Staged every year at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, and for the past three years also in Las Vegas, Calibash has since its inception reflected and set trends, hosting acts like Chris Brown, Jennifer Lopez and Justin Bieber alongside Latin names like J Balvin, Enrique Iglesias and Nicky Jam.

“There’s nothing like it,” says Alessandra Alarcón, president of SBS Entertainment, the live event arm of SBS, which also owns the SBS radio network and TV station La Mega. “We’re activating the entirety of LA Live. We’ll have an outdoor stage with performances by local and up and coming artists, and inside, for the first time, we’ll have three completely different talent lineups.”

Prices will range from $45 for the cheapest seat to $1,000 for a top VIP seat (which grants access averaging $150 per night and $600 for a three-day pass). Aside from ticket sales, SBS also sells merchandise and of course sponsorships, both for the indoor and outdoor portions of the fest.

Lenny Tavarez Releases Debut Solo Album “Krack”

Posted on May 30, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Lenny Tavarez is officially out with his first…

After blessing fans with new music for the last few months, the 34-year-old Puerto Rican singer has finally released his debut solo album Krack via Warner Music Latina.

Tavarez, who kicked off his solo career after leaving Puerto Rican duo Dylan and Lenny, calls the album his “first opportunity at life.” He’s also grateful for his new record label giving him total creative liberty with the album strategy.

“I decided to launch the album progressively, in four seasons, because I wanted fans to digest all the flavors, sounds, and lyrics that it brings,” he tells Billboard.

The album is home to 14 tracks, including “La Neta,” “A Cien” and focus track “Lo Tengo Todo.”

The set includes collaborations with Nicky Jam, Rauw Alejandro, Zion & Lennox and Natanael Cano, to name a few.

Though Tavarez has released the singles sporadically and in groups, the album has been nearly five years in the making.

“My intention is to do different music without changing the genre,” he says. “Krack was created with a lot of sacrifices and stories of perseverance.”

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